MDHTALK - Metal Detecting Hobby Talk Join the Fight to Save the Hobbies

Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs
Inc. (FMDAC)

FMDAC Website

FMDAC Facebook Page

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The Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs Inc. (FMDAC) was organized in 1984 as a legislative and educational organization and incorporated, as a non-profit, non-commercial, non-partisan organization.

The FMDAC's Mission: The FMDAC is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection for the hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.

The FMDAC's Purpose:
To unite, promote and encourage the establishment of metal detecting clubs.
To preserve the sport / hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.
To make available to FMDAC clubs and Independent members information pertaining to the hobby and to keep members informed as to active legislation.

The FMDAC's Goal is to Educate and inform the public as to the merits of recreational metal detecting.

April 17, 2018 Press Release
Hello to all members and non members. Please read the announcement below direct from the FMDAC President, Mark Schuessler

Target Recovery Certification Program
The Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs will be conducting its first target recovery course at Treasure Week at Fox Den Acres Campground, July 14 - 21, 2018. This will be our kickoff for the program that we intend to take nationwide. This is an effort to teach proper recovery techniques and stem the tide of sloppy habits that we are seeing becoming prevalent in many areas including the internet. It will take place on the first weekend at a specific times to be announced on Saturday morning.

This course will be conducted in Four parts. The

Part One: is a sit down "classroom" talk. Proper ethics will be discussed along with a discussion of target recovery tools and accessories.

Part Two: will be demonstrations of different recovery techniques that will be shown as many times as necessary.

Part Three: will be practice time. Participants will practice the techniques with any needed assistance from instructors. When they feel confident of the techniques then the final phase will be the test. They will have to demonstrate each of the techniques to the satisfaction of the instructor with no prompting or assistance. After successful completion each person will be given a certification card.

This is a "hands on" course. The reason is quite simple. There are handouts showing proper techniques which we have been distributing for years. Manufacturers talk about it in their instruction manuals. There are places on the internet that you can watch target recovery videos. You can even get a certificate after watching them. These are all good as it does show proper techniques. However they in no way insure that the person can actually do it properly. It only shows that the person can read or click a mouse! Although this course does not insure that any particular individual will use the techniques and do them properly, it DOES show that they have demonstrated that they can do them properly. We will be placing videos on the internet in the near future but they will not take the place of the course.

This certification card can be used when asking permissions. It can also be incorporated into permit systems or used to help reverse or stop detecting bans from happening. The course will be a work in progress. We will make changes as necessary to streamline and improve it. It will also be a two way discussion. There are many, many people who are great at recovering targets and can add to the discussions and may have some things to add to our course. There are many who may be able to go straight from the demo stage to the test phase with no problem at all.

The course is not meant or intended in any fashion to point fingers and no one should be apprehensive about taking part. It is 100% intended to be educational. We also realize that the techniques may need to be modified for different areas of the country according to the ground conditions. This will take place as necessary.

If you will be at Treasure Week on the first weekend then consider sitting in on the course. The hobby you help save will be your own!

November 24, 2017 Press Release
Hello to the FMDAC Membership.

A big thank you to all who attended the Gettysburg function. Everyone appeared to have a good time. The weather was great on Saturday. Sunday was a different story. The forecast predicted a total washout to begin early morning and continue non stop. Somehow the gods looked down on us and had pitty. Marge Cleaves said it was her late husband Doug's intervention. So thank you Doug! The sky was fairly clear and the rain held off throughout the first hunt. The second was moved up 2 hours and it began misting before it ended. When the original hunt time came around there was a soaking rain that lasted the rest of the day. We were all cleaned up and on our way out by then. The Saturday hunt was put on by the Central region director Don Hayes. The token for a Tecknetics T2 (donated by Mike Race) was won by the FMDAC secretary Frank Colletti. After the hunt everyone was off in various directions. Some went to the Civil War Relic show some went to tour the battlefield, and some to the many shops, museums and other attractions scattered throughout the area.

On Saturday evening we gathered in the breakfast area at the host hotel. Pizza and drinks were served. That was followed by a talk by VP Ed Burke whose ancestor was present at Gettysburg. His great grandfather was in the 56th PA infantry who fought in the first days battle. They were forced to flee through the streets of the town being vastly outnumbered by the Confederate forces. Read the Complete Press Release

April 28, 2017 FMDAC News Release
Hello FMDAC members
It’s been awhile since I have put out a message. Life has been busy.

Good news is that it has been a while since we have seen anything in the legislative department. Maybe it was the election cycle that has kept everyone’s attention off of us. However as I always say. There may be things happening that we do not know about so do not hesitate to contact us if you hear of something.

That silence was broken early on this year as there are two ongoing situations right now in which detecting has been banned. I will not divulge the locations right now as they are being worked on a local level. The first one involves the changing of a decades old ban that has not been enforced. A new parks department administrator took over and decided to enforce it. The local club has met with him and they are working on it. It appears to be on a good path at this point.

In the second a ban was suddenly put into place with zero public knowledge or input. The city attorney wrote it on his own and presented it to the city council who immediately voted unanimous approval. No discussion, no representation from those it effects and no public notice. This ban affects ALL city property including curb strips. It is in the fact finding stage at this point. The local community has been instructed to contact the council to get a lot of questions answered. Read Full Released

Attention everyone......March 15, 2017
Just found out about this bill in the NH legislature. It has already passed the House and is in the Senate. It apparently passed the house by a voice vote. The full text of the bill is below. Really simple as it says dredging is banned. I know this is not metal detecting proper but we are all in this together. Many people are involved in both hobbies. So lets act quickly to try to put the brakes on this one.

Also there are 2 cities that have recently banned detecting. We are working with them on a local level right now.

Here s a link to the NH senate committee where the bill is at right now. Web link

Here is the senate contact page. Web Link

New Hampshire House Bill 591 Sponsors: Web Link

If you live in NH then please contact your senator. If you do not then please contact the committee and any senators and let them know about your vacation plans.

Mark Schuessler, FMDAC National President

August 14, 2016 FMDAC Press Release
SAA Task Force on Professional Archaeologists, Avocational Archaeologists, & Artifact Collectors Web Link
September 07, 2015 FMDAC Presidents Message Read Here
March 05, 2015 FMDAC Presidents Message 1st Qtr Select Here
November 13, 2014 FMDAC Presidents Message Fall 2014 Select Here
May 09, 2014 - Presidents Report on Facebook or View This PDF File
May 09, 2014 - FMDAC's Response to the Massachusetts Metal Detecting Issue Fackbook or View This PDF File
December 27, 2013 - Presidents Report on Facebook
August 24, 2013 - 2013 2nd Qtr President's Report

MDAW - Metal Detecting Association of Washington

MDAW Website

MDAW FaceBook

The Metal Detecting Association of Washington was started to promote, protect and preserve recreational metal detecting here, in the State of Washington. Some of the concerns related to detecting in this state are unique to the Pacific Northwest. As a group we strive to work with hobbyists, in clubs or not, who want to enjoy metal detecting, follow the rules set down about the hobby and in some cases help to change those rules. The MDAW works in cooperation with the Office of Historical and Archaeological Preservation of Washington State and Washington State Parks.

The MDAW is an active organization of metal detecting clubs and individuals throughout Washington State working to promote recreational metal detecting for the public.

A project being worked on at this time is trying to get state parks to open more areas within the designated state recreational lands to recreational metal detecting.

Having completed an educational workshop with staff from the archaeological preservation office of Washington State. We have what we feel is a good working relationship and are working to keep it that way.

On the following pages you will find many parks and other areas that may be open to metal detecting. Always make sure that an area is ok to detect.

Please read these links to the latest WA State Park rules.

Metal Detecting Maps Be sure you check maps and complete a metal detecting brochure.

County and city rules may vary. Please check with the individual parks departments.

Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs

The purpose of the TAMDC shall be to unite, promote, and encourage metal detecting clubs in Texas, through education and instruction in the recovery and preservation of historical facts, relics, and artifacts. It is the intent and charter of this association to develop and maintain a positive image for metal detectorists and their activities at local, state, and national levels through performance of selected community service projects and through adherence to the TAMDC code of ethics.

T.A.M.D.C. Website

T.A.M.D.C. FaceBook Page

The Historical Hearne-Gidden Home Coming Back to Life
From Houston to Ft. Worth, from Dallas to Austin, and all towns in between, twenty metal detectorists from the Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs (T.A.M.D.C.) converged on Kosse, TX on December 16th in partnership with the Kosse Heritage Society for a T.A.M.D.C. “GIVES BACK” Community Service Project. The purpose of the event was to help raise awareness and funds for Kosse Heritage Society’s, Hearne-Gidden Restoration Project, by recovering historical artifacts from the ground around the historical home. Read More

World Wide Association of Treasure
Seekers

(WWATS Website) - Keith Wills

04-25-15 The "State" of Our Hobby
By: Keith Wills
The excitement and adventure of treasure hunting for gold nuggets, old lost coins, lost jewelry, and items from our past is in everyone's blood, for we all seek what we do not have. For me, I started metal detecting as a kid to build my first coin collection, it was much more intriguing to search for lost treasures beneath my feet than simply buy a coin collection, which I could not afford at the time.

For over 43 years now my father and I have enjoyed metal detecting together with great success. I will always have our memories we shared of putting on those headphones and the rest of the world disappearing for us. The sweet competition we shared in seeing at the end of the day which of us had found the nicest piece of jewelry or the most coins. We always look forward to that next treasure hunt adventure. However, as time goes on, many outside forces interrupt our long time-shared fun together, even when we fight to hold on to the right to continue to enjoy it.

Today the average metal detector user finds him or her surrounded by new laws enforced to restrict our freedom to enjoy a recreational pastime. However, it may not be too far in the future we see even our own property and our right to do with that property as we wish, taken from us as well. Everyday new laws are going into effect; new Bills are being pasted by our elected officials that most of us are unaware of. To be honest with you, our government has lost the direction of "for the people" yet now enact more laws "against the people". Special interest groups and our government are pushing Bills to restrict American rights; even in our hobbies we enjoy every day. Read More

Join WATTS Application

The Western Mining Alliance is the organization of independent miners across the West. Since our inception in the small, historic mining town of Laporte where we had three people, we have now grown into a movement of thousands of miners. Based in Reno, Nevada, The Western Mining Alliance is defending the rights of over 55,000 claim holders across the West. Our objective is simple, to restore our Constitutional rights to mine and to present science based evidence on the truth about mining.

Western Mining Alliance Website

Western Mining July Newsletter

Western Mining Alliance Facebook Page

May 01, 2018 Updates Press Release
Thanks for your support in April. Especially thanks to the new donors.

We were able to pay off our February and March legal bills thanks to your donations and with a little help, fair winds and luck we should be filing our appeal this month.

If you remember dredging in the summer then take the time to read "Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics" this article explains how they cheated us out of dredging. They believed we wouldn't figure out what they did, now we want to take it to the appeals court and show it to the justices. Please help us get there.

March 03, 2013 Newsletter Legal Updates
Oregon Bohmker Updates provided by Waldo Mining District
Losses and recovery of historic gold mines
How to identify California diamonds
Murphy's Bar
A couple of claims on the North Fork of the Yuba offered for sale
NORCAL and SOCAL Claims Reports available for purchase now

December 14, 2017 Western Mining Alliance Press Release

AMRA-American Mining Rights Association is a 501 (c)(3) Non-profit Association and was created by miners and public land users, for miners and public land users to preserve and maintain their rights as they pertain to access to their public lands and their rights to obtain the minerals on those lands. We are not a gold club but rather an advocacy group.

AMRA Website

AMRA FaceBook Page

September News Link

Get the Latest News from these websites. Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA) - News on legal issues for the gold prospecting community.

Gold Prospectors Website

GPAA - Facebook Page

September News Link

Prospecting and Mining Journal (IMCJ)- News on legal issues in the gold prospecting community.

Prospecting and Mining Journal Website

IMCJ Facebook Page

September News Link

Public Lands for the People - A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit
Organization

Public Lands for the People Website

PLP Facebook Page

PLP was constructed for the purpose of representing all outdoor user groups and individuals that are interested in keeping public and private lands open to prospecting, mining, and outdoor recreation on a non-discriminatory basis! PLP assists groups to join forces to maintain the laws and rights of all citizens on public and private lands (Federal, State and City). PLP will assist with representation at public hearings of government agencies that are proposing limitations and restrictions on the lands that belong to the people. PLP DOES LITIGATE! We will file injunctions, when necessary, to prevent governmental agencies from discussing public issues behind closed doors and calling them “personnel meetings”. We will come to the aid of, and give individual attention to, persons or groups who are being harassed, intimidated or mislead by people in authority (in or out of uniform) who are attempting to enforce their own ideas or opinions of laws, rules or regulations, rather than the actual laws, rules or regulations, and what it actually means.

August 15, 2018 New PLP News Release
Public Lands for the People delivered information to the Federal EPA in Washington DC in March that legally explained that suction dredgers do not “add” a pollutant within the meaning of the Federal Clean Water Act requiring a 402 or 404 pollution discharge permit. The EPA has assured us of a decision in the near future, as it was passed to their specialists on the matter.

As we know, whether it is California’s SB 637, or the CA Water Board, or Idaho’s IDWR, they all defer to the Federal EPA regarding exemptions when the Feds choose to specifically state such. The fact is, the States get funds from the Federal government to carry out these directives. PLP is continuing to follow this matter up and resolve it under the Trump administration so that suction dredgers will not be labeled polluters requiring discharge permits in CA or any other State. PLP strongly believes that by submitting to a 402 permit, as some have advocated (see the article below this newsletter: “Surrendering to the Pollution Permit”), miners will run the risk of undermining and subverting our negotiations with the Federal EPA to resolve this issue at a national level.

PLP also believes that when the true costs of the $6,000 permit plus the cost of hiring a water monitoring engineer per dredger (or group of dredgers), at $50,000 comes to light (which is now being hidden), dredgers will be rightfully outraged as this will not be affordable, nor reasonable. We can say this with relative certainty based upon our experts with real experience in past permitting, going back to the year 2000! Read More

07-30-18 New PLP 2018 Grand Raffle Winners Press Release
We are excited to announce the winners of this year's Grand Raffle drawing. We are humbled by the positive notes and calls of support from so many of you as you ordered tickets, bought memberships and just donated because you want to stand with us in the fight to keep our public land rights. THANK YOU!

½ ounce GOLD NUGGET Donated by minerskeepers.com – Richard Kelsey
4 stack GOLD CUBE Donated by Goldcube – John Cross
Dry concentrator Donated by Mad Mining – Jim Henesh
Macro Gold racer Detector Donated by The Miners Cache – Brian Winter
Mining claim location service Donated by Josh Reinke – Thomas Sager
Stake claim Workshop Donated by Josh Reinke – Dick Tieben
California Mining Claim Donated by Ron Kliewer/ www.goldrushu.com – Roger Bowman
Kwik Kiln Donated by GPK Company – Robert Davies
Recirculating sluicebox Donated by Mad Mining – Laren Crawford
Goldstrike mini washplant package Donated by Goldstrike Adventures – Jeff Lawlis
Fast Furnace Kiln Donated by fastfurnacecompany – Roger wingo
Tike Strike concentrator Donated by Spikestrike sluices – Gearge Cowie
Stowaway concentrator Donated by Spikestrike sluices – Jeffrey Courter
Gold ram panning sluice Donated by Spikestrike sluices – Ron Renter
Read More

June 15, 2018 PLP News Release
Public Lands for the People has a long history of fighting legal battles in court and providing educational help to the mining community as well as all public land users. Much of this important history did not get transferred to the new website 3 years ago when we brought www.publiclandsforthepeople.org live on line. Also, within the last couple of years, PLP won a landmark Federal case we affectionately call “The Cheerios Decision”, the importance of which is explained in the accomplishments list below.

Very early in the 1990’s, PLP and some individual miners worked together in good faith with the state of California to craft the 1994 Suction Dredge Regulations and permit process. PLP made concessions to help facilitate the process. Jerry Hobbs explained later that we found out the hard way that because we compromised when working with government agencies, we could never get back what we compromised on, even though it was a right, not a privilege. Because we had submitted ourselves to regulatory agencies that didn’t have authority to materially interfere, only to reasonably regulate. If you think the CA 1994 regs were good, what we had before that were much closer to the intent of the 1872 Mining Act. Without going into the many details; the fact that we gave up some ground in the process of the 1994 EIR and Suction Dredge Regulations, we realized we made a mistake, and we would never repeat it again. Read More

May 09, 2018 PLP Press Release
The SMALL MINER AMENDMENT Update and Call to Action

We are overwhelmed with the support PLP has been receiving from around the country for the Small Miner Amendment. With over 2,000 endorsements and counting, this will help to make a greater impact because legislators will see the breadth of support from around the country for the Small Miner Amendment. In just a few weeks our Northern California Director, Clark Pearson and Scott Harn of the ICMJ (Mining Journal), will again be meeting in Washington D.C. with high level officials in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Interior (DOI), along with many legislators and their aides. We are working hard to get this critical mining legislation passed, providing regulatory relief for the small-scale mining community across the nation. Read More

March 25, 2018 PLP Press Release We Have Some Big News!
PLP has a proposed small miner amendment to Federal Senate Bill (S 145) sponsored by Senator Dean Heller (R-NV). This small miner amendment, written by our legal researcher Clark Pearson, solves most of the small miner’s regulatory problems observed by PLP over the last 28 years. A tremendous amount of research and on the ground practical knowledge has gone into this amendment. This amendment was written by a working small miner to help all miners, big and small. It provides clear and concise regulatory certainty in dealing with all regulatory bodies the miner faces today. It places clear respect for the “Right of Self-Initiation” under the 1872 Mining Law grant and distinguishes certain permitting to be approved by operation of law, holding the agencies truly accountable to mitigation time limits. It sets straight, clarifies and solves sticking points that have caused years of litigation and grief to the mining community from the State and Federal levels and it does it all in only 5 pages! These 5 pages will remove massive amounts of red-tape from the backs of small miners as well as big operators. This amendment addresses: NEPA, MSHA, casual use that does not require a NOI or PO, due process, Forest Service regulations, State regulations/opting out at the discretion of the miner, EAJA, mineral withdrawals, mitigation time limits/approval by operation of law, and undue regulatory interference by State agencies. PLP is presently seeking co-sponsors on the House and Senate side.

This small miner amendment is a must read and should go down as the most important piece of legislation to help the mining industry in a long, long time. It is available for viewing on PLP’s website at: www.publiclandsforthepeople.org. ICMJs Prospecting and Mining Journal also has it available for viewing and comment at: www.icmj.com and has been documenting our progress in Washington, D.C. The ICMJ has taken the lead to receive individual miner and mining association endorsements in support of the “Small Miner Amendment” on their Facebook page.
In March 2018, PLP hand delivered a request to a deputy director for administrator Scott Pruitt of the EPA signed by seven members of the Idaho State legislature in order to clear the controversy of what we perceive as unlawful NPDES permitting of suction dredgers in the United States. The progress is being extensively covered and documented by the Mining Journal and we hope to provide suction dredge miners tremendous relief soon.

Public Lands for the People wishes to encourage all prospectors, recreationalists and claim holders that have road access use not maintained by the State or County road departments within the West Mojave Conservation and Planning Area to comment. This area includes Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, CA.

Most importantly, if you have a mining claim or favorite prospect site that has road access, make sure the BLM has this route in the system and state it must remain open for your ingress and egress. Otherwise, the BLM will consider it a candidate for closure for lack of use.
Deadline to make your comments is June 14th 2018. Please see the Federal Register notice below for contact information:
Attend BLM’s Public Meetings for West Mojave OHV Travel Management Planning!
The Bureau of Land Management has published a notice marking the release of its draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and draft Land Use Plan Amendment to manage OHV recreation within the West Mojave Planning Area in Southern California. The West Mojave Planning Area comprises approximately 9.4 million acres of land. Within the planning area, BLM administers approximately 3.1 million acres of public lands.

BLM states that the draft SEIS evaluates existing OHV routes and proposes a route network that “balances access with the protection of sensitive resources.” BLM’s announcement also commenced a 90-day public comment period.

Public Meetings:
It is important for OHV enthusiasts to stay involved in the public lands management process by attending public meetings and having your voices heard. BLM invites members of the public to attend one of the following meetings from 5:00-7:00 pm:

April 17 - Hilton Garden Inn, 12603 Mariposa Rd., Victorville, CA 92395
April 18 - Kerr McGee Center, 100 W. California Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555
April 24 - Statham Hall (Lone Pine Senior Center), 138 N. Jackson St., Lone Pine, CA 93545
April 25 - Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst St., Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Submit Comments
Comments are due on June 14, 2018. Comments on the SEIS may be submitted by: email: blm_ca_wemo_project@blm.gov
fax: 951-697-5299 with Attn: WMRNP Plan Amendment
mail: Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District, Attn: WMRNP Plan Amendment, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553.

Additional Info
Draft Land Use Plan Amendment/Draft SEIS
BLM Press Release
Federal Register Notice

Thank you,
Ron Kliewer
PLP President

March 01, 2018 PLP News Release
January 14, 2018 PLP Press Release
December 16, 2017 PLP Press Release
December 01, 2017 PLP Press Release
October 20,17 PLP Press Rease
September 08, 2017 PLP News Release
July 12, 2017 PLP Press Release
June 26, 2017 PLP Grand Raffle Press Release
June 09, 2017 PLP News Release
April 09, 2017 PLP Press Release
March 28, 2017 PLP Press Release
February 07, 2017 PLP News Release
December 19, 2016 Latest News Press Release
November 16, 2016 PLP Press Release
November 08, 2016 PLP Press Release
August 24, 2016 PLP Press Release
August 17, 2016 PLP Press Release
July 24, 2016 PLP Press Release
July 20, 2016 Press Release
June 07, 2016 PLP Press Release
May 27, 2016 PLP News Release
March 18, 2016 PLP News Release
March 06, 2016 PLP Press Release
February 29, 2016 PLP Press Release Read More
January 21, 2016 PLP Press Release
January 19, 2016 Press Release
December 17, 2015 PLP Press Release
December 03, 2015 PLP Press Release Annual PLP Christmas Party December 17th
November 26, 2015 PLP Press Release
November 10, 2015 PLP Press Release
October 12, 2015 Feinstein Whitewater Public Meeting Details PLP News Release
September 03, 2105 PLP/MMAC Oktoberfest Fundraise Press Release
August 13, 2015 PLP/MMAC Oktoberfest Fundraiser
August 10, 2015 PLP Request Joshua Tree National Park: Eagle Mountain Follow Up
August 02, 2015 PLP Press Release
July 23, 2015 PLP Press Release
July 06, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 27, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 24, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 12, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 10, 2015 PLP Press Release
May 28, 2015 PLP Latest News Complete Press Release
May 08, 2015 PLP Miners Win Federal Preemption Press Release
May 08, 2015 PLP - Message from the Minerals and Mining Advisory Council (MMAC) Press Release
March 17, 2015 Cleveland National Forest has decided to close more roads PLP Press Release
March 03, 2015 MINERS DECLARE INDEPENDENCE-MMAC Press Release
February 23, 2015 We rolling out a new website PLP News Release & Request
January 21, 2015 A win for PLP is a win for the small scale mining community and all public land users. Read the Complete Press Release
January 14, 2015 PLP Press Release
December 29, 2014 Tribute to Jerry Hobbs Read the Complete Press Release
October 23, 2014 Three things in this press release PLP wants to inform you about. Press Release
October 07, 2014 Press Release The Oregon State House,
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/allow-suction-dredge?source=s.icn.em.mt&r_by=11403933
January 01, 2014 Public Lands for the People marching towards VICTORY! YouTube Video